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Binghamton University Athletics

Anthony Ruggiero and Emma Lawson

Softball Adds Ruggiero and Lawson to Coaching Staff

| By: David O’Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)

Syracuse alum and Bearcat standout join staff for 2027 campaign

VESTAL, N.Y. – The Binghamton softball program has announced the hiring of Anthony Ruggiero and Emma Lawson as assistant coaches for the 2027 season. They join a Binghamton staff that also includes sixth-year head coach Jess Bump as well as Associate Head Coach Michaela Transue.

A 2023 graduate of Syracuse University, Ruggiero was the Pitching and Catching Coach at Lindenwood University (located in St. Charles, Mo.) during the 2026 season. He guided a staff that posted the second-lowest ERA in the conference as well as 11 shutouts. 

The previous two seasons (2024 & 2025), Ruggiero was the Director of Operations/Player Development & Facilities at the University of Louisiana-Monroe. He worked extensively with the program's pitchers and catchers in his Player Development role.

During his undergraduate career at Syracuse, Ruggiero was the Softball Team Manager from 2020-23. He utilized software during games to chart pitches and their locations and was also responsible for catching bullpen warmups during each practice plus before and during games.

"We couldn't be more excited to announce Anthony Ruggiero as our new pitching coach," Bump said. "He has had great success in his last few stops and has had some great mentors along the way. During the interview process, he had great enthusiasm and knowledge of the bullpen and we believe he will make an immediate impact in the development of both our pitchers and catchers."

"I am truly grateful to be able to be a part of a program that has been continuously successful ever since Jess and Michaela have been there," Ruggiero said. "To join fellow New Yorkers, and come back to work at a top program in my home state is an opportunity I am thankful to have."  

Lawson, meanwhile, is no stranger to the Binghamton program. She graduated this past May having been named a two-time, first-team all-conference selection during her career as well as a first-team All-Northeast Region honoree in 2025. In the classroom, Lawson was chosen as the America East Softball Scholar-Athlete in 2025 and was named a 2026 America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete for graduating with at least a 3.75 GPA.

In the Binghamton program record book, Lawson's .355 career batting average ranks seventh all time. In addition, her career on-base percentage (.434) ranks eighth all time as does her .576 career slugging percentage. Furthermore, Lawson's 1.010 OPS is the seventh-best mark in program history.   

"Emma is going to be a great addition to our staff as she made an enormous impact on our recent successes as a program. As a player, she always had a coach's mind and had a very high softball IQ and I expect that to translate right over to the coaching side.'

"I am super excited to be back," Lawson said. "The past four years, the softball program has become a family and community to me and I want to make sure the current players have the same experience and opportunities that I did."

Binghamton's 2027 schedule will be announced later in the fall.


 
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